Google will reportedly try to repeat the success of the current-gen Nexus 5X and 6P and launch two new Nexus flagship smartphones this year. But instead of having two tech manufacturers make the devices, speculations suggest that China-based HTC will be the sole developer of the two Nexus 2016 flagships.

According to speculations, although Google has yet to announce the new Nexus phones, it seems that HTC is already keen on being the sole manufacturer of the upcoming flagships. Phone Arena states that allegedly, HTC has already signed an exclusive three-year partnership deal with Google.

Meanwhile, while Google has yet to confirm the new Nexus lineups for 2016, HTC will reportedly capitalize on the success of the current-gen Nexus flagships and follow up the Nexus 5X and 6P with 5-inch and 5.5-inch phones for a 2016 release.

As for specs, top-tier internals are already expected of the Nexus 2016  flagships. According to Know Your Mobile, Google and HTC will reportedly integrate a 3D Touch feature into the new flagships. While the feature remains unconfirmed, a 3D Touch display for the new Nexus phones is highly plausible, given that other competitors such as Xiaomi and Oppo will reportedly integrate the feature on their flagships for this year.

The new Nexus flagships will also reportedly come out with a full version of Android N straight out of their boxes. This is also a plausible scenario, since Google has already come out with a developer preview of the upcoming Android version. With all the bugs and issues dealt with, a full version of Android N will reportedly launch at Google's I/O Conference in May.

Since the full-version release of Android N is set for May, the new Nexus Phones may also appear at Google's annual event. However, global release dates will more than likely happen in the latter part of the year.